Wyoming IV-E Update and Overview

Wyoming IV-E Update and Overview

Christina McCabe, Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Wyoming Attorney General's Office and Dana Ward, Social Services Program Analyst with the Wyoming Department of Family Services will provided information about the requirements associated with IV-E funding. Title IV-E foster care funds enable states and tribes to provide foster care for children determined eligible for financial assistance pursuant to certain guidelines set by the federal government.

The Social Security Act includes requirements that define the circumstances under which the title IV-E agency must, in accordance with an approved title IV-E plan, make foster care maintenance payments [§ 472(a)] and mandates a child’s placement in an approved or licensed foster care setting [§ 472 (b) and (c)] that meets the safety requirements. The Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) is Wyoming’s IV-E agency. IV-E findings are required in order for DFS to get reimbursement in IV-E cases, but many of the requirements are also included in the Wyoming statutes and are needed to provide for a child's safety, permanency and well-being.

There are several general rules that legal stakeholders need to be aware of so as not to affect IV-funding.  The presenters will review scenarios related to specific judicial findings, court ordered language and the timeliness of hearings that could affect IV-E reimbursements.